SCARBOROUGH: Joint funding of over $35.9 million by all three levels of government and partners have been announced for the building Tamil Community Centre in Scarborough.
The announcement was made by Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Bill Blair, Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade; Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge Park; Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; Vijay Thanigasalam, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough— Rouge Park; Logan Kanapathi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham—Thornhill; John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto; Jennifer McKelvie, City Councillor for ScarboroughRouge Park; and Siva Vimalachandran, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tamil Community Centre, announced funding for the construction of the The Government of Canada is investing over $14.3 million in this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada plan.
The Government of Ontario is providing more than $11.9 million, while the Tamil Community Centre is contributing over $9.6 million.
The City of Toronto has contributed land valued at $25 million to the project in the form of a long-term land lease at a minimal cost of $1 plus HST in annual rent.
The project will see the construction of a multi-purpose facility that will meet the needs of many local residents, including the diverse Tamil Community in the Greater Toronto Area.
A gym and outdoor playing fields will improve access to recreational opportunities for the community, while a new library, museum, auditorium and multi-purpose spaces will help facilitate educational and cultural opportunities and events.
All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when needed most.
• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $14.2 billion in over 3,800 infrastructure projects.
• Across Canada, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects.
• Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
• Across the province and over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $320 million and Canada is investing approximately $407 million under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (community centres, libraries), recreational venues (arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (theatres, museums).
Chrystia Freeland said: “Community centres are vital social infrastructure that help our communities, and local economies, grow stronger. Our recovery plan is focused on making sure we have an inclusive recovery that brings all people along and builds stronger, more resilient communities. The new Tamil Community Centre will create jobs, give the community access to recreational and cultural spaces, connect the community to quality programs and services, and provide access to educational opportunities for everyone in the community.”
Vijay Thanigasalam said: “As someone who grew up in Scarborough, I personally know how important this project is to the community. The development of a Tamil Community Centre will provide services and jobs for the residents who call Scarborough home. I am proud to be part of a government that is funding the first ever Tamil Community Centre in Canada. This reaffirms our government’s commitment to building Scarborough.”
Bill Blair said:“Investing in community, culture, and recreational infrastructure is essential to creating inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods, towns, and cities. The new Tamil Community Centre will help meet the needs of the community while raising awareness and appreciation of Canada’s diverse Tamil Community for many years to come. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
Kinga Surma tweeted:: “It was great to join @VijayThaniMPP, MPP for Etobicoke Centre and Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Premier @fordnation to announce provincial funding for the future construction of @_tamilcentre – Building a multi-purpose space for the Tamil community and the diverse local communities in Scarborough to access cultural and human services.
“I want to congratulate MPP Vijay Thanigasalamm MPP for his hard work in getting this key investment For the People of Scarborough!”